Fazer participates in Yara’s research to study the environmental impacts of farming practices and fertilisation
As part of its Grain Vision work, Fazer participates in a research project initiated by the fertiliser company Yara. The two-year project aims to find ways to impact carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions from farming. Different measurements are used to find farming practices that generate the least emissions with the best possible crops. The research is carried out in Yara’s Kotkaniemi research station in Vihti, Finland.
This two-year project is measuring how different farming practices and fertilisers impact the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of nitrogen when cultivating spring wheat and grass. The amount and timing of emissions is studied by measuring carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane emissions. In addition, the measurements study the impacts on carbon sequestration.
“Food production and consumption have a major impact on the environment, and new, sustainable ways of producing food are required; they are an important part of the solution to climate change. Fazer has set ambitious targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Since the majority of our environmental impacts are generated in the production of the grains we use, it’s important for us to be part of promoting research in the field,” says Kaisa Mattson, Director, Sustainability and Quality, Group Procurement, at Fazer.
Yara, the initiator of the research, is Finland’s leading fertiliser manufacturer and supplier of environmental solutions. In the research project, Finnish state-of-the-art technology, such as the Gasmet multigas analyser and Datasense’s automatic carbon analyser systems with integrated Vaisala sensor technology, is used. Datasense Oy produces the technology and analysis services for the project. In addition to Fazer, another Finnish food industry company, HKScan, is involved in the research.
“Farming has become more difficult with increased extreme weather phenomena. This research is an important step in developing the best farming practices further. As a result, concrete measures will be recommended to farmers for decreasing their emissions. This project combines high technology, the climate ambitions of companies in the Finnish food chain, and Yara’s agronomic expertise,” says Mervi Seppänen, Senior Development Agronomist at Yara, who is leading the project.
Towards more sustainable farming together with farmers
Fazer has long-term cooperation with Finnish farmers to develop more sustainable farming practices. The work, called Fazer’s Grain Vision, is built around ten sustainable farming principles and it is practically implemented by Fazer’s contract farmers. Through the Grain Vision programme, Fazer aims to secure domestic food production, to reduce climate and water emissions from farming, as well as to improve soil fertility, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Read more (in Finnish): https://viljavisio.fazer.fi/
"This research fits naturally into Fazer's Grain Vision work, as sharing new and best practices within the farming community plays an essential role in our programme. At its best, we will receive new information which will help improve yield levels and reduce the negative impacts of farming on the environment," Mattson continues.
42% less emissions by 2030
Fazer is committed to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), and the company’s climate goals comply with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and aim for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Fazer has identified its key development areas and defined clear objectives and measurements for them. Fazer cooperates with suppliers to reduce emissions from the entire value chain.
Media contacts:
Anniina Niemistö, VP, Communications, Fazer Lifestyle Foods, anniina.niemisto@fazer.com, +358 40 674 4672
Fazer serves the media by phone Mon–Fri from 8 am to 4 pm, tel. +358 40 6682 998 and at media@fazer.com
Fazer Group
Fazer, The Food Experience Company, enables people to enjoy the best moments of their day. Our mission, Food with a purpose, builds on our strong 130-year heritage, consumer first approach and innovations to create the sustainable food solutions of the future. With our dedicated team of approximately 5,000 professionals, we focus on fast-moving consumer goods and our direct-to-consumer business in Northern Europe, and beyond with exports to some 40 different countries. Fazer’s operations comply with its Code of Conduct that is based on the Group’s values and the UN Global Compact. In 2022, Fazer Group had net sales of 1.100 million euros.
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